How should we deal with law-breaking cyclists?

The Star has a tough article to pigeonhole today – it starts off all “linkbait-ish”, with a title designed to play to the (wrong) self-righteousness of drivers who feel that any transgression by a cyclist is justification for road rage. A cyclist rolls slowly through a stop sign? Let’s yell at/ticket/license them!! Let’s ignore that 90% of car drivers do the same thing, often at higher speeds.

It then tries to trash Karen Stintz for fighting a ticket she received for rolling through a stop sign… a stop sign which doesn’t exist.

Finally, the article gets a little better and talks about how most cyclists are law-abiding and most drivers are careful drivers, yet it’s the small minority of idiots riding bikes and drive cars that ruin it for everyone else.

What do YOU think? Do you think a slow rolling stop is a cardinal sin? Do you yell at cyclists bombing through red lights (like I do)? Do you know the solution?

Please leave your thoughts in the comments below.

I am a motorist, fearful and angry, and I’ve come to the end of silently tolerating cyclists who break the law — placing themselves and others in danger.

Karen Stintz — TTC Chair and possible mayoral candidate — tweeted last week that she got a $110 ticket for a rolling stop, but she’s “fighting it” because even though she admits doing rolling stops, the stop sign cited on the ticket didn’t exist. She’ll get off on a technicality. Know what you should do Karen? Set an example, pay up, and quit rolling through stops. It’s against the law.